Xiaomi Developer Mode: How to Enable and Use Hidden MIUI Features

The hidden menu for developers in Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones opens up dozens of additional settings that the manufacturer hides from ordinary users. Here you can activate debugging over USB, change the interface animation, enable emulation of additional displays or even unlock the possibilities for modifying the firmware. But how do you get there if the item is not in the standard settings?

Unlike many brands where the developer mode is enabled through a universal algorithm, MIUI has its own nuances. The shell versions differ not only visually, but also in the location of key elements. In this article, we will discuss the current ways for MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS), and also tell you which features should be activated first and which should not be touched without experience. If you plan to install custom firmware, unlock the bootloader or test applications through ADB, this guide will become your navigation map.

Why Developer Mode Is Not in Default Settings

Android device makers, including Xiaomi, hide the developer menu for two key reasons: First, protection from accidental changes that could disrupt system stability. GPU-rendering or background processes can cause lags, overheating or even complete inoperability of the smartphone before resetting settings.

Second, many features are designed for testing and debugging, useful to app developers (such as Do not turn off the screen while charging or Show touches), but useless to the average user. Moreover, some options may violate privacy policies, such as permission to fictitious locations, which is used to deceive geolocation services.

⚠️ Attention: Activation of the developer mode on devices with MIUI Global may result in some features being blocked (like Google Pay or banking apps) due to security changes.Before turning on, check if the phone is being used for critical operations.

Interesting fact: in the early versions of MIUI (until 2018), the developer menu could be opened through the engineering menu by code ##4636##. Now this method does not work, but its trace remained in the form of the MIUI version in the settings, which is used to unlock.

How to Incorporate Developer Mode on Xiaomi in 2026

The activation algorithm depends on the version of MIUI and the smartphone model. Below are the current methods for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including HyperOS phones (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+). If your device runs Android 13/14, use the first method. Older models (before MIUI 12) may require an alternative path.

Standard Method (MIUI 13/14/15 and HyperOS)

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device on some models).
3. Find the MIUI Version line (it may be called the HyperOS Version on new devices) and tap it 7 times in a row.
4. After 3-4 clicks, a pop-up notification will appear with the countdown: 4 steps left to become a developer!
5. After pressing 7, the system will show a message: You became a developer!

Now, a new Developer section will appear in the Settings main menu (usually at the bottom of the list or in the Additional section). If there is no item, check if it is hidden under the spoiler More or Advanced Settings.

Alternative method for older versions (MIUI 11 and below)

On devices with MIUI 11 and earlier versions (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro or Xiaomi Mi 9), the path may be different:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → All the specifications.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the line MIUI version (sometimes you need to click on the Assembly Number).
3. If it doesn’t work, try clicking on the kernel or Android version.

Some firmware (especially custom ones) may require a password or graphical key to confirm actions. If the menu does not appear after multiple clicks, check if permissions to change system settings in the Security application are disabled.

Check the MIUI version in the settings

Make sure your phone is at least 30% charged

Disable VPN (can block system notifications)

Remember the password from your Mi Account (required for some features)

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Where is the menu for developers after activation?

Once successfully enabled, the Developer Form can be hidden in different places depending on the version of MIUI.

If a partition is missing after a firmware update, it will have to be turned on again – the factory reset does not retain the status of “developer”. On some devices (for example, POCO F4 GT), the menu may be called Developer Settings or Developer Settings.

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Can't find the menu? Search in the settings: type in "developer" or "debug" (in English firmware).

Top.-5 useful functions in the menu for developers

Not all options in developer mode are equally useful. We have selected the 5 most popular features that will be useful for both ordinary users and fans of modifications:

• 🔧 Debugging by USB (USB Debugging – mandatory for working with ADB, unlock the bootloader or firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. Without it, you can't connect to the PC for deep tuning.
• ⚡ Acceleration of animation – reducing the scale of animation (Window animation, transition animation) to 0.5x Makes the interface visually faster.
• 📱 Emulation of an additional display – allows you to test multitasking or run applications in a window (useful for DeX mode).
• 🔒 Fake Locations Permission – Required for applications like Fake GPS (It can block geolocation services!).
• 🔄 Background processes – limiting the number of applications running in the background saves battery power (optimum: Standard limit).

Be careful about security-related settings (e.g., Disable verification) MIUI Or allow downloads from unknown sources; activating them can weaken the protection against malware; and it is not recommended to change the settings. GPU-rendering or disabling HW-inscriptions – this often leads to graphic artifacts.

How to turn off the developer mode on Xiaomi

If the developer menu is no longer needed (for example, after firmware or testing), it can be deactivated.

Temporary shutdown (hiding menu)

To remove the section from the settings, but keep the ability to re-enable it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show System.
3. Find the Settings app (com.android.settings) and clear its cache and data.

After the reboot, the menu will disappear, but it can be activated again through the MIUI version.

Complete disabling (resetting developer status)

For complete deletion of status:

1. Go to Settings. → For developers.
2. At the very bottom, find the developer mode switch and turn it off.
3. Confirm the action (a password may be required).

⚠️ Note: On some HyperOS devices, completely disabling developer mode results in resetting all associated permissions (ADB, fictitious locations, etc. Before you do, export important settings through ADB backup.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after activating the developer mode correctly, users face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, check to see if the phone has modified firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or PixelExperience), which may have different paths to the developer menu and some features locked at the kernel level.

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Before any manipulation of the developer mode, back up your data through Settings → System → Backup. This will prevent you from losing information when you crash.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions